Arabs Set Fire to Memorial Plaque in Ofra

Arabs set fire to a memorial plaque for a resident of Ofra. Local residents: this is just the beginning.

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Elad Benari, 13/03/13 05:42

Ofra

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Arabs set fire on Tuesday to a memorial plaque for a resident of the Binyamin community of Ofra - and local residents are warning that this is just the beginning.

The plaque, which is located near the entrance gate to Ofra, perpetuates the memory of local resident Shuki Shukrun, who was killed in a car accident.

Local residents warned on Tuesday that the Arab attacks will only get worse in the wake of the decision by the Head of Central Command in the IDF, Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, to dismantle the fences protecting Ofra and the community of Adam by this Friday.

Alon’s directive last weekend came following the High Court's ruling in the matter.

The High Court found that the fences that surround and protect the two communities need to be dismantled because they prevent access to some Arabs' agricultural plots. The fences were allegedly built without the necessary approvals.

Maj. Gen. Alon reportedly decided not to wait for the construction of new fences on alternative routes, which could take six months. After the currently standing fences are torn down, beefed up IDF patrols will protect the communities without the aid of a fence.

The community of Ofra has filed a High Court motion against Maj. Gen. Alon, demanding not to tear down the fence. The community's leadership said that the temporary security arrangements are insufficient.